Middle School Science Textbook Selection

The Science Textbook Selection Advisory Committee is a community-based committee consisting of teachers, administrators, parents, and students, working in alignment with Board Policy 6161.1.

PAUSD’s last middle school science textbook adoption took place in 2007-2008. The intervening years have seen the adoption of the California Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in 2010, the adoption of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in 2013, and the release of a new Science Framework for California Public Schools in 2016. The Next Generation Science Standards and Framework represent a significant shift in science education pedagogy. The vision is to prepare California students to be future citizens and future scientists by building science mastery through repeated opportunities for meaningful and engaging learning experiences.

The State Board of Education is scheduled to release a new list of NGSS aligned instructional materials in November 2018. PAUSD formed a Textbook Selection Advisory Committee in the fall of 2018 and will continue evaluating materials in the fall of 2019 for recommendation to the Board of Education in the Spring of 2020. The expectation is that the new instructional materials will be implemented in the 2020-2021 school year.

In December, the committee voted to implement a pilot of 6-8th grade materials from TCI (Teachers' Curriculum Institute) and McGraw Hill. These materials will be used in science classes during Jan-March of 2019. Sample copies can be examined at the District Office and each middle school site (main office or library). In April 2019, the committee found that TCI and McGraw data from teachers, students, and parents was not compelling enough to recommend adoption.

Piloting will continue into the fall. The committee selected Amplify Science and HMH California Science Dimensions as pilot choices for the 2019-2020 school year. Materials from Amplify and HMH will be on display at the District Office and at the school library/office at the beginning of the school year. Feedback for the committee can be given through email to the committee facilitator (twallace@pausd.org) or though input cards at the display sites.

Charge Statement

Charge Statement Purpose

The purpose of the Charge Statement is to clarify the work, the responsibilities, the authority, and the expected results of the PAUSD Middle Schools' Textbook Selection Advisory Committees.

Membership:

As defined by Board Policy and Administrative Regulations for Selection and Evaluation of Instructional Materials (BP 6161.1 and AR 6161.1), membership in the selection committee shall include the following:

Three (3) MS Science Instructional Leaders
Three to Six (3 to 6) Middle School Science Teachers
- Each grade level must be represented
- One or two teachers per site (the same number of teachers from each site)
Three (3) Parent Representatives
- One parent representing each middle school site
One (1) Middle School Administrator
Three (3) Student Representatives
- One student representing each site - preferable grades 6 and 7 because the committee may work over two years
One (1) Special Education Middle School Teacher
One (1) Secondary English Language Specialist: Coordinator or Teacher
Two (2) High School Science Teachers
- One from each site
One (1) Elementary Teacher Representative
- Elementary Teacher or Elementary TOSA
One (1) Chief Academic Officer, Secondary Education (Assistant Superintendent)
One (1) Secondary TOSA

Membership Term: The term is ad hoc. The committee meets until the committee submits its recommendation to the Superintendent or to the Superintendent's designee.

Purpose/Work of the Committee:

Review the NGSS aligned instructional materials on the State of California adopted materials list for grades 6, 7, and 8
Review and select the instructional programs (texts and materials), given the information from the teachers during the examination period, to be used in the pilots in the spring semester.
Review the teacher recommendations after the pilots are complete, and
Select the instructional materials or programs to recommend in grades 6, 7, and 8 beginning in August 2019

Meetings:

Approximate meetings for the Middle School Textbook Selection Advisory Committee

September, 2018: Kickoff Meeting
October, 2018: First Screen of Materials, Joint Middle School Meeting
November, 2018: SCCOE visit and Text Review
December, 2018: Publisher's Presentations; Finalize the Pilot Texts
December, 2018 - January, 2019: Finalize the Pilot Texts
January - May 2019: Plan the rest of the pilot and how/when to bring adoption advice to the BOE.
- Review of Pilot Reports
Aug - Dec 2019: Continue Pilot Phase
- Review of Pilot Reports
Finalist Publisher Presentations for community, if needed
Finalize recommendation
Bring recommendation to the BOE

Authority:

The Middle School Science Textbook Selection Advisory Committee will submit program adoption recommendations to the Superintendent or Superintendent's designee.

Products:

A recommendation for an NGSS aligned textbook or program at each grade level, 6, 7, and 8, no later than May 15, 2020 to the Board of Education. The recommendation is to include a written rationale for the selection(s) in comparison to those not chosen on the finalist list.

Resources:

The Middle School Science Textbook Selection Advisory Committee will work within the existing State and District textbook budgets.

Thank you to all the parents and students who applied for the PAUSD MS Science Textbook Advisory Committee

The selection process is now closed. Thank you for you interest. The selection committee composition and adoption process are defined by Board Policy and Administrative Regulation for Selection and Evaluation of Instructional Materials (PB 6161.1 and AR 6161.1), which include the following clauses:

The Superintendent or designee shall establish a process by which instructional materials shall be reviewed for recommendation to the Board. This process shall involve teachers in a substantial manner and shall also encourage the participation of parents/guardians and community members.
Individuals who participate in selecting and evaluating instructional materials shall not have a conflict of interest in the materials being reviewed, as defined in administrative regulation.
The committee shall include a community representative from each school area selected by the principal. The community members selected shall represent a balanced perspective of the community at large.
The committee shall include one student from each school (the principal and student body officers shall advertise this opportunity and select the student by a process jointly agreed upon.)

To participate, applicants must be able to commit to regular attendance given this anticipated schedule: